Learning from earthquakes: A field report on structural and geotechnical damages sustained during the 26 January 2001 M7.9 Bhuj earthquake in Western India

The powerful earthquake that struck the Kutch area in Gujarat in January 2001 has been the most damaging earthquake in the last five decades in India, causing a large loss of life and property. Over 18,600 persons are reported to be dead and over 167,000 injured the estimated economic loss due to this quake is placed at around Rs.22,000 (US$5 billions). The following document provides a quick rundown of the salient structural and geotechnical damages recorded during a reconnaissance survey to capture important lessons from the aftermath of the quake conducted by a EERI team of 16 investigators, specifically focusing on building systems and masonry, bridges, dams and other infrastructures, geotechnical damages and liquefaction effects.